Unions fear job losses in UK airline industry

12:00AM BST 26 Sep 2001

FEARS of UK redundancies are growing after thousands more jobs were cut from the airline industry in the wake of the U.S. terrorist attacks.

Air Canada announced it would increase planned layoffs from 4,000 to 9,000 as a result of the impact of the disaster on the industry. Following the terrorist outrage the company will also ground 84 aircraft and reduce flights.

The Montreal-based airline operates 105 flights from Heathrow and Glasgow to Canada every week. It was not yet clear where flights will be cut or if any jobs will be lost in the UK but the company said it hoped to recall laid off workers when business improved.

Unions are also expecting job losses at the Belfast-based Shorts Aerospace company, after workers were warned to expect a "serious" announcement soon.

The plant, which is owned by Canadian company Bombardier and employs 7,600 staff, builds the fuselage and engine coverings for a range of Bombardier civilian aircraft. An announcement is expected later today.